After yesterday's leak there was no point in keeping the new Countryman under wraps so MINI went ahead and released initial details and a full gallery of its first-ever crossover model. Bear in mind that the BMW Group owned automaker noted that the car may not be named Countryman in certain markets without giving out any further details.
The Countryman is not only the British firm's first-ever crossover, it's also the first modern MINI to have four doors, an available all-wheel-drive system, four full-size seats and to measure around four meters in length.
The styling inside and out is unmistakably MINI, with the Countryman trying to stand out from the rest of the range with its chunkier nose job, raised ride height and some unique styling cues such as the headlamps and the alloy wheel designs.
The company said that driver gets a slightly elevated seating position while a new feature inside is the MINI Center Rail that extends from front to rear allowing anything from a cupholder and sunglasses to audio devices and an armrest to be attached and slid wherever they are required.
The Countryman comes as standard with four seats, but a three-seat bench is available as a no-cost option.
According to MINI, the rear seats can move fore-and-aft either individually or in a 60 : 40 (three-seat bench) split, the backrests may be tilted for angle either individually or in a 40 : 20 : 40 (three-seat bench) arrangement, increasing capacity in the luggage compartment from 350 to 1,170 liters (12.2–41.0 cu ft).
When the Countryman goes on sale in Europe this fall (North America in early 2011), it will enter the market with a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines, extending from the 90HP turbo diesel in the One D to a 184HP 1.6-liter four-cylinder petrol with a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct fuel injection in the rang-topping Cooper S.
All versions will come equipped with Brake Energy Regeneration, Auto Start Stop system and a gearshift point indicator.
MINI said that as an alternative to the six-speed manual gearbox featured as standard, the petrol engine models will also be available with six-speed automatic tranmission.
As an option, the Cooper S and Cooper D models will be available with MINI's ALL4 permanent all-wheel drive system that uses an electrohydraulic differential positioned directly on the final drive varying the distribution from front to rear.
Under normal driving conditions, the system sends up to 50 per cent of the engine's power to each axle, but in more extreme situations, up to 100 per cent can be sent to the rear wheels.
As with the rest of the MINI models, the Countryman will be offered with a wide range of customisation and equipment options on both the exterior and interior including an extra-large Panorama roof.
The official presentation of the Countryman will take place at the Geneva Salon in March, 2010.
16 Comments:
i find it hard to like...the interior looks good tough
I guess it's because of the handling, but I expected to see a bit more ground clearance than this. That light-up interior is fantastic, though.
,,And how much They'd charge 4 it?
Gazzillion $$...?
Cute
(-:
ew
will this compete with the mitsubishi RVR?
Love it! Dont think they were thinking 'off road' when they designed this, more in the way of excellent road handling I think...Still, a great addition to the MINI name... The design is very MINI, certainly aint no ugly duckling
"more in the way of excellent road handling I think..."
You know, not that the Cooper S already did that, but we already know how you think when it comes to car handling.
if roomy, i will definately take a close look. it looks hot, rugged and unique, while remaining true to the corporate ideal/look.
I WANT ONE!
Mini crossover = for people too fat to fit in a real mini, and too obese for people to fit in a Bini
That's Mickey Mouse on the dash. Does anyone else see that. That's bound to cause problems.
This is awesome-AWD- roomy-decent ground clearance-I just hope its not to expensive
What happened to the rear door swinging out on a hinge? I really liked that....it was different and very cool looking. Now the rear door just looks like other crossovers or hatchbacks.
Once again mini does an outstanding job! great standout design. Retro, a nod to the VW fastback wagon, a bit bigger, two doors...love the look. if it handles like the mini and has good gas mileage, I'll trade my 04 in!
It would be swell if there was something to cover the gap between the two back seats when they are folded down for carrying stuff. hate to have a bag of bark or potting soil get snagged on the cup holder and open up all over the place!
So, what's the mileage? And were do we pre-order now?
does this has a rear view cam?
I thought the same thing about the rear door. Also at first thought it looked too much like a VW Golf but now not so much.
Doubting the handling in serious winter conditions but would like to learn more.
Did see the "Mini Countryman with a Mini Cooper on top" tour go by in SF earlier this week. And judging by the line of people snapping cell phone pics they are doing something right.
Seems right for a hybrid version. Listening, Mini? ;)
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